Paula Abdul Wants to Leave a Legacy of Serving Others
By Movieguide® Contributor
In an interview with PEOPLE, Paula Abdul explained that she has many projects in the works that she hopes will allow her to leave a legacy of helping others.
“Being 60 this past year was such an incredible trajectory change for me, of really wanting to build and leave a legacy behind,” Abdul told PEOPLE. “That of kindness and support and helping others who can’t stand up for themselves.”
Abdul recently presented at the Movieguide® Awards Gala and Report to the Entertainment Industry.
“To learn how to combat bullies, to have the self-assuredness that you can do anything that you put your mind to,” she continued. “Talent is only half of it. It’s the perseverance, the stick-to-itness, and undying belief in yourself.”
Reinventing herself is nothing new for Abdul who called herself the “queen of renaissance.” She started her career as a Los Angeles Lakers cheerleader before becoming a choreographer for the Jacksons. Afterward, she released three studio albums on her way to becoming a judge on AMERICAN IDOL from 2002 to 2009. In 2019, Abdul began a residency in Las Vegas which she performed through January 2020.
Despite her illustrious career in show business, Abdul feels that she has “only scratched the surface.”
“People go, ‘She’s got more lives than a cat.’ For me, I’m a tenacious little attack hamster. I love doing what I do and I love spreading joy,” she said.
One way that she spreads that joy is through the support of the nonprofit Project Angel Food. The organization delivers over a million medically-tailored meals a year to people who are impacted by life-threatening illnesses, at no cost.
“It’s such a beautiful organization. The work that Project Angel Food does, making sure that men, women, children fell that they have safety and care, it’s the true meaning of leading with love, of making sure people feel that they’re seen, heard and taken care of,” Abdul said.
Abdul also revealed that she has big things coming as she is currently working on “a few pilots” along with “live shows as well.”
